Obit: Irene Elain Kvale Rutherford

Irene Elaine Kvale Rutherford, 89, of San Antonio, Tex., died on Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at home in San Antonio.

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Devils Lake Journal - Devils Lake, ND

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Posted Oct. 10, 2013 at 11:42 AM

Posted Oct. 10, 2013 at 11:42 AM

Irene Elaine Kvale Rutherford, 89, of San Antonio, Tex., died on Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at home in San Antonio.

Memorial services for Irene will be held on Saturday, October 26 at 1 p.m. at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake, N.D. She will be buried at the Devils Lake Cemetery.

Irene was born in Crosby, N.D. to Erik and Signe Kvale on April 21, 1924. She graduated from Crosby High School in 1942. Irene attended Minot State Teachers College for one year, then transferred to Oregon State University. After World War II, Irene returned to Crosby and taught 3rd grade.

Irene married Laurence A. Rutherford on August 22, 1948. The family lived in Crosby for several years. Larry opened a G.I. flying school in Crosby and a public accounting firm. When her oldest daughter was kindergarten age and the public school did not have a kindergarten program, Irene opened and ran a kindergarten in her home for five years.

In 1963 the family moved to Minot, N.D. Irene returned to Minot State College and completed a BA in education in 1969 and taught at Jim Hill Junior High School for 10 years.

Upon retirement, Irene and Larry moved to Hot Springs Village, Ariz. where Larry died in 2003. In 2007 Irene moved to San Antonio to live with her daughters.

Irene was a piano teacher, Girl Scout Leader, active church member in various ELCA churches, PEO member and other service organizations.

Irene was beloved by her family and all who met her. She was an incredible woman and the best grandmother ever.

She is survived by daughters, Kathleen and Susan Rutherford and granddaughter, Cayley Rutherford-Olson.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents, Erik and Signe Kvale; brother, Lorents, O. Kvale; sister, Grace Thompsen and granddaughter, Camille Knox.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Camille Knox Memorial Legacy Endowment, University of North Dakota, 3501 University Avenue, Stop 8157, Grand Forks, ND, 58202 or the Alzheimer?s Foundation of America.